Breast Lift

When it comes to the breasts, gravity and time can significantly change their appearance. Loss of skin elasticity due to aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and other factors can cause once perky breasts to droop and sag. Even though smaller breasts may not change to the same degree as larger ones, all women experience a degree of descent and flattening over time.

The breasts are composed of mammary glands, fat and ligaments, not muscle, so exercise cannot correct the problem. As Dr. Chang is one of the best providers of the breast lift Washington DC & Maryland have to offer, his adept methods of removing excess skin and tighten surrounding tissue helps to raise and reshape the breasts.

Dr. Christopher C. Chang is a Washington, D.C. breast surgeon with comprehensive skill in breast lifting and extensive experience in surgery of the breast. He has credentials from Harvard, Yale, John Hopkins, NYU School of Medicine, and other illustrious institutions. Dr. Chang is not only a highly-skilled Washington DC breast lift surgeon but also a down-to-earth person who makes his patients feel comfortable. If you have sagging breasts, schedule a consultation with Dr. Chang to discuss a breast lift procedure to correct the problem.

What Causes Sagging Breasts?

Life and the passage of time can cause breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness. Factors that can contribute to sagging breasts include:

Pregnancy

The breasts can increase in size significantly during pregnancy, and shrink back down to their original size afterwards. The changes in size are what cause sagging and loss of firmness in the breasts. Breastfeeding may also affect the amount of postpartum breast engorgement, skin stretch and nipple changes.

Weight fluctuations

Significant weight gain and weight loss can cause the breasts to grow or shrink. This can cause sagging when skin and supporting tissues become stretched out.

Gravity

The pull of gravity takes its toll on the breasts over time. The effects of gravity are even greater on larger breasts.

Heredity

Nature is not always kind. Some women are predisposed genetically to have sagging breasts.

Aging

As we age, the ligaments throughout the body (including the breasts) begin to stretch and lose their elasticity. Breast fullness is lost when tissue and fat in the underlying support system becomes diminished.

Lack of support

Wearing a supportive bra is important to the shape and lift of the breasts. Not having proper support can take its toll on the breasts over time.

Smoking

Elastin fibers responsible for skin elasticity break down when they are exposed to carcinogens in cigarette smoke.

Sunburn

Ultraviolet rays can also cause loss of elasticity in the skin, which can contribute to sagging breasts.

Do I Need a Breast Lift?

The best way to find out if breast lift surgery is appropriate for you is to consult with Dr. Chang in person. As one of the top providers of the breast lift Washington DC has to offer, he can see very specific indications that can determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Some of those indications include:

Nipples that point downward

Nipple and areola that sit below the crease underneath the breast

Asymmetrical or unusually-shaped breasts

Lack of firmness in the breasts

Pendulous breasts

Sagging, droopy, overlarge breasts

Breasts lower on chest after pregnancy and breastfeeding

Benefits of a Breast Lift

When childbirth, aging, or weight fluctuations have led to saggy, droopy breasts, a woman may feel less confident or self-conscious. Fortunately, a breast lift procedure can produce a dramatic improvement. Benefits of a breast lift include:

More youthful nipple position

More cleavage

Perkier, more projected breasts

Better proportion between the breasts and buttocks

Better fitting clothing

Breast enhancement can be included in the procedure

Breast Lift Incision Techniques

Depending on the amount of excess skin, the condition of your existing breast tissue, and your treatment goals, Dr. Chang will recommend a breast lift technique to achieve results, with a focus on producing the least possible scarring. Breast lift techniques include:

Crescent Lift

This technique is appropriate for women with only a small amount of sagging. It uses a small incision running half way around the top half of the areola.

Donut Lift (Periareolar)

Women with mild sagging can benefit from this technique. It involves a circular incision running all the way around the edge of the areola.

Lollipop Lift (Vertical)

This incision placement allows for more extensive shaping and corrects moderate sagging. It involves 2 incisions – a circular incision around the edge of the areola, and a vertical incision running from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease below the breast. Together, these incisions form the shape of a lollipop.

Anchor Lift (Inverted T)

For women with extensive sagging, this technique allows for dramatic reshaping to correct the problem. It involves 3 incisions – the first is around the edge of the areola, the second runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease at the bottom of the breast, and the third runs along the crease. The first incision is disguised by the pigmentation of the areola and the third is hidden in the crease of the breast.

Breast Lift in Combination with a Breast Augmentation

If the factors that caused your breasts to sag (aging, weight loss, pregnancy, etc.) also caused your breasts to lose volume, a breast lift alone may not be sufficient to achieve your desired results. During your breast lift procedure, Dr. Chang can place implants in your breasts to restore their fullness and shape by performing a breast augmentation along with the lift.

How is breast lift procedure performed?

A breast lift is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. The surgical technique and incision placement for your breast lift procedure will depend on a number of factors, including:

Degree of sagging

Skin quality and elasticity

Breast size and shape

Position and size of the areola

Amount of excess skin

Dr. Chang will remove excess skin, reshape the breast tissue, reduce the areola if needed, and raise the nipple and areola to create more youthful and aesthetically pleasing breast contour.

Breast Lift in Washington DC

There are steps women can take to help prevent sagging breasts, but once the tissue is stretched out, the only solution is breast lift surgery. Dr. Christopher C. Chang is a highly trained and experienced cosmetic plastic surgeon you can trust to perform your Washington DC breast lift procedure. Call our office to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.

Recent Reviews

"I have never felt so confident. Dr. Chang completely changed how I saw myself in the mirror. I was terribly self conscious of my nose from my youth and finally decided to go through with the surgery. Not only was it inexpensive compared to the other three doctors I contacted, the before and after pictures of patients were also much better looking than the others! The whole process of surgery and recovery was quick and pretty much painless. I would definitely recommend him to anyone wanting cosmetic surgery. It really made me a happier person."
- Catherine M.

"My son was in a terrible accident with most of the bones in his face and skull broken... I don't know what I would have done without Dr Chang!! My son is fully recovered and back to his old self again. I love Dr Chang, he will be in my prayers for the rest of my life. Thank you!"
- Elizabeth A.

"I cannot say enough about my surgery with Dr. Chang! I had full facial Rejuvenation including a facelift brow lift and upper eyelids done 4 months ago. I also had a chemical peel to my lower eyelids and mouth. They was barely any pain and I was back to work the next week! I am so thrilled and my friends are so impressed. I cannot say enough about my experience! He is both caring and an amazing surgeon! Thank you so much!"
- Cathy W.

The entire experience and outcome was everything I hoped for and I cannot thank Dr. Chang enough! He is a true pro and I recommend 100% without reservation!"
- Ashley R.

"I went to Dr. Chang to correct the damage done to my breasts from pregnancy and breastfeeding. He went above and beyond to make me comfortable and to explain exactly what the procedures (lift + implants) would entail. He was extremely responsive and truly understood the look that I was trying to achieve - full, natural for my frame, and with minimal scarring. I'm only two days out from surgery and I'm already loving my results. I am so glad that I chose Dr. Chang to restore my chest to its pre-baby appearance. I actually think they are going to be better than they ever were before I had kids!"
- Emily L.